William Thomas McKnight was born to William Thomas and Myrtle (Ferguson) McKnight in South Philadelphia. He was the youngest of Myrtle's children, as he had two older half siblings, John Walls and Dorothy (Walls) Selby, from her previous marriage.
In addition to being involved in many school activities, Bill McKnight was elected "Best Looking" in the Class of 1937 of West Philadelphia High School. His father passed away the following year.
At the time that he registered for the draft during World War II, Bill worked for the Belmont Iron Works, near his first cousin, John Milligan, who worked at the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
After Bill died in service to his country, his mother requested his remains be brought back to the United States for interment in 1948. He is buried next to his maternal grandmother, Hannah (Severs) Ferguson. In addition, his great grandfather, Joshua Severs, a Civil War veteran, is buried in another section of Mount Moriah.
***Military Biography by Dick O'Donnell***
typos corrected
William enlisted in the Army at Philadelphia, PA on 10 March 1942 and, as a parachutist volunteer, was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment for basic training at Blanding, FL.
He, along with the entire regiment, went through jump school at Ft Benning, GA. Pvt McKnight was declared a qualified parachutist on 12 March 1943 after completing 5 jumps from an aircraft in flight.
The 508th jumped into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Pfc McKnight was killed in action two days later. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge, posthumously.
In addition to being involved in many school activities, Bill McKnight was elected "Best Looking" in the Class of 1937 of West Philadelphia High School. His father passed away the following year.
At the time that he registered for the draft during World War II, Bill worked for the Belmont Iron Works, near his first cousin, John Milligan, who worked at the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
After Bill died in service to his country, his mother requested his remains be brought back to the United States for interment in 1948. He is buried next to his maternal grandmother, Hannah (Severs) Ferguson. In addition, his great grandfather, Joshua Severs, a Civil War veteran, is buried in another section of Mount Moriah.
***Military Biography by Dick O'Donnell***
typos corrected
William enlisted in the Army at Philadelphia, PA on 10 March 1942 and, as a parachutist volunteer, was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment for basic training at Blanding, FL.
He, along with the entire regiment, went through jump school at Ft Benning, GA. Pvt McKnight was declared a qualified parachutist on 12 March 1943 after completing 5 jumps from an aircraft in flight.
The 508th jumped into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Pfc McKnight was killed in action two days later. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge, posthumously.
William Thomas McKnight was born to William Thomas and Myrtle (Ferguson) McKnight in South Philadelphia. He was the youngest of Myrtle's children, as he had two older half siblings, John Walls and Dorothy (Walls) Selby, from her previous marriage.
In addition to being involved in many school activities, Bill McKnight was elected "Best Looking" in the Class of 1937 of West Philadelphia High School. His father passed away the following year.
At the time that he registered for the draft during World War II, Bill worked for the Belmont Iron Works, near his first cousin, John Milligan, who worked at the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
After Bill died in service to his country, his mother requested his remains be brought back to the United States for interment in 1948. He is buried next to his maternal grandmother, Hannah (Severs) Ferguson. In addition, his great grandfather, Joshua Severs, a Civil War veteran, is buried in another section of Mount Moriah.
***Military Biography by Dick O'Donnell***
typos corrected
William enlisted in the Army at Philadelphia, PA on 10 March 1942 and, as a parachutist volunteer, was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment for basic training at Blanding, FL.
He, along with the entire regiment, went through jump school at Ft Benning, GA. Pvt McKnight was declared a qualified parachutist on 12 March 1943 after completing 5 jumps from an aircraft in flight.
The 508th jumped into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Pfc McKnight was killed in action two days later. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge, posthumously.
In addition to being involved in many school activities, Bill McKnight was elected "Best Looking" in the Class of 1937 of West Philadelphia High School. His father passed away the following year.
At the time that he registered for the draft during World War II, Bill worked for the Belmont Iron Works, near his first cousin, John Milligan, who worked at the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
After Bill died in service to his country, his mother requested his remains be brought back to the United States for interment in 1948. He is buried next to his maternal grandmother, Hannah (Severs) Ferguson. In addition, his great grandfather, Joshua Severs, a Civil War veteran, is buried in another section of Mount Moriah.
***Military Biography by Dick O'Donnell***
typos corrected
William enlisted in the Army at Philadelphia, PA on 10 March 1942 and, as a parachutist volunteer, was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment for basic training at Blanding, FL.
He, along with the entire regiment, went through jump school at Ft Benning, GA. Pvt McKnight was declared a qualified parachutist on 12 March 1943 after completing 5 jumps from an aircraft in flight.
The 508th jumped into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Pfc McKnight was killed in action two days later. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge, posthumously.
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